2024 Stats
PTS
3.5
REB
3.3
AST
6.9
STL
1.0
BLK
0.5
ROS Projections

Team option declined
The Pelicans declined their $3.15 million team option in Payton's contract for 2025-26 on Sunday, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Payton signed a one-year deal with New Orleans in November but was waived in December. He later returned to the team on two 10-day contracts in March and April 2025 before signing another one-year deal that included a team option for a second season. However, the veteran point guard is now expected to explore other opportunities in free agency this offseason. He averaged 3.5 points, 6.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals across 24 regular-season appearances (nine starts) between New Orleans and Charlotte last season.
Payton signed a one-year deal with New Orleans in November but was waived in December. He later returned to the team on two 10-day contracts in March and April 2025 before signing another one-year deal that included a team option for a second season. However, the veteran point guard is now expected to explore other opportunities in free agency this offseason. He averaged 3.5 points, 6.9 assists, 3.3 rebounds and 1.0 steals across 24 regular-season appearances (nine starts) between New Orleans and Charlotte last season.
NBA Per Game Stats
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2024 NBA Game Log
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2024 NBA Per Game Split Stats
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Stat Review
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How does Elfrid Payton compare to other players?
This section compares his stats with all players from the previous three seasons (minimum 200 minutes played)*. The bar represents the player's percentile rank. For example, if the bar is halfway across, then the player falls into the 50th percentile for that stat and it would be considered average.
True Shooting %
14.3%
Effective Field Goal %
14.3%
3-Point Attempt Rate
0.0%
Free Throw Rate
0.0%
Offensive Rebound %
0.8%
Defensive Rebound %
10.6%
Total Rebound %
5.6%
Assist %
21.1%
Steal %
2.1%
Block %
2.4%
Turnover %
14.6%
Usage %
9.7%
Fantasy Points Per Game
11.9
Fantasy Points Per Minute
0.6
NBA Historical Fantasy Stats
Historical ADP
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Past Fantasy Outlooks
2021
2020
2019
2018
2017
2016
2015
2014
This season is actually Payton's second tour of duty with the Suns, having spent 19 games with the team back in 2017-18. At that time, however, the team brought him in to be their starting point guard and, while he rewarded them with two triple-doubles in his first nine games (an NBA record), his poor shooting percentages and average defense made him expendable at the end of the season. Fast forward four years, and the former top-10 pick, who has also had stints with the Magic and Knicks with varying success (just 10.1 points, 43.2% shooting, 0.4 threes and 3.2 assists last year as a starter), is back on Phoenix. This time, it's for the league-minimum salary with lower expectations for his role on the team. He will slot in as the third-string point guard behind Chris Paul and Cameron Payne and be asked to provide leadership and playmaking ability while on the floor. Payton still has the ability to get to the rim and, with Phoenix's style of play, he should be able to effectively dish to one of the many capable shooters on the floor. However, given his limited role, Payton's fantasy production will be limited, and he's only worthy of a late-round flyer if you're banking on an injury to Paul or Payne.
More Fantasy News

Shooting woes in finale
Payton totaled three points (1-5 FG, 1-1 3Pt), three assists, two rebounds and one block across 18 minutes during Sunday's 115-100 loss to the Thunder.
ANALYSIS
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Posts season-high 10 rebounds
Payton finished Friday's 153-104 loss to Miami with four points (2-8 FG), 10 rebounds and 13 assists in 29 minutes.
ANALYSIS
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Agrees to standard contract
Payton agreed to a standard contract with the Pelicans on Friday.
ANALYSIS
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Starting sans Alvarado
Payton will start in Thursday's game against Milwaukee.
ANALYSIS
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Returning to bench
Payton isn't in the starting five for Tuesday's game versus the Nets.
ANALYSIS
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Latest Fantasy Rumors

Looking to return to NBA
Payton has had recent workouts with the Timberwolves and Hornets, Michael Scotto of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
The 29-year-old guard didn't play at all in the NBA last season and averaged just 11 minutes over 50 games for the Suns in 2021-22, a significant fall from grace for a player who had delivered at least 10 points a night for six straight seasons prior to that. Payton, the 10th overall pick in the 2014 Draft, instead played last season in the G League and averaged 7.9 points and 6.0 assists for Fort Wayne in 10 games.
The 29-year-old guard didn't play at all in the NBA last season and averaged just 11 minutes over 50 games for the Suns in 2021-22, a significant fall from grace for a player who had delivered at least 10 points a night for six straight seasons prior to that. Payton, the 10th overall pick in the 2014 Draft, instead played last season in the G League and averaged 7.9 points and 6.0 assists for Fort Wayne in 10 games.